Ukulandela ukusha okuphelele, okuwukuphela kwezinsalela yi-carbon dioxide namanzi. Ngenkathi i-carbon dioxide ingadala ukufutheka, ukuvutha okungaphelele kukhiqiza i-carbon monoxide, i-ejenti enobuthi. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ama-hydrocarbons angase ashiswe angaphelele, ukuguqula i-carbon dioxide ibuyele ku-carbon monoxide.
Izimpawu ezivelele ze i-carbon monoxide ubuthi yisiyezi, ikhanda, ukukhathala, kanye nesimo esifana nokudakwa, ukuchayeka okukhulu okungase kubangele ukuquleka.